The Hawks dealt young forward Cam Reddish nearly a month before the trade deadline. Atlanta’s general manager and president of basketball operations, Travis Schlenk, said that by making this trade now, he can better assess what to do at the deadline, as Sarah Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes.
“I’ve seen some people say, ‘Why wouldn’t they wait?’ We wanted to see if just a little tweak would have an impact,” Schlenk said. “This gives us two, three weeks before the trade deadline to see if a small tweak does kind of change the trajectory of the season. So, by doing this early, it gives us that little runway to evaluate. And, you know, again, our hope is that this will sort of change the course of the season for us.”
The Hawks added Kevin Knox and a first-round pick in the deal with the Knicks. Knox probably won’t play much, but Atlanta can now go with a wing rotation of De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter without trying to find minutes for Reddish.
The first-rounder, which Charlotte owed New York, was a motivation factor for Schlenk. It gives the Hawks another asset it can dangle in future deals.
“We feel like this pick from Charlotte, even though it does have protections, I think my analytics group said there’s a 90% chance over the next four years we get this pick, so we think it’s a real first-round draft pick, it’s not a fake first-round draft pick,” Schlenk said. “And the one thing I’ll say about draft picks, everybody values draft picks. Every team might not value a player, but 29 other teams will value a real first-round draft pick.”
Reddish expressed his desire to be moved to a team where he could play more. He was averaging 23.4 MPG in 34 games this season with Atlanta. The Hawks weren’t down on Reddish’s ability but the wing logjam, along with salary constraints that would have made it difficult to extend him, compelled them to comply to his wishes.
“He’s super high-talent. We all see that. He’s got great length, he’s got great size, he’s got great skill level. But we’re trying to blend the team together, as well,” Schlenk said. “So we have to take all that stuff into consideration. He could certainly go on and have an All-Star caliber career, and I wouldn’t be shocked at all by that.”
Coach Nate McMillan was well aware of Reddish’s desire to be moved, but noted the former Duke forward remained professional throughout the season, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic tweets.
“I thought he handled it the right way,” McMillan said. “He didn’t make a big deal about it in the press.”
Maybe Reddish could mentor Simmons, Wood, Porter, and even Harden on how to act professionally.
even John Collins approach has been very mature from what I’ve read. the issue is over the past decade, these agents and players see how the squeaky wheel gets the grease, all of a sudden you’re buying cases of oil.
remember the hoohaa when TO wanted out of SF, having Rosen whatever on ESPN and blah blah blah. that was the first big mainstream fiasco i recall of a player really making a stink and stomping his feet because he wanted more candy.
This is for the Atlanta Homer. Who always talked nonsense to me. Just cause I basically said the same thing your GM said. Except I said it last year. Can I help it if I got it like that.
-The Hawks added Kevin Knox and a first-round pick in the deal with the Knicks. Knox probably won’t play much but Atlanta can now go with a wing rotation of De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter without trying to find minutes for Reddish.-
You should of got CJ with Cam. Like I’ve been saying. Always told you there is not enough mins. And Hawks cause of their success would go with vets. Oh Well
I know RJ is happy with Cam. Thibs will push him to do well.
Reports are that RJ and Cam didn’t mesh well at Duke?
Al may not see this until tomorrow, too busy patting himself on the back
The article with RJ in Post says otherwise. Yeah I’m sure they got him so they won’t mesh.
I speak the truth. I don’t GAF what y’all think. It was a simple observation. That anyone really would do. But some here just can’t take it from others. I’m so sorry I’m so informed.
Should have stuck to their guns and gotten the guy they wanted in Quintin Grimes.
So we should wait a little and see if Schlenck can use the Reddish trade to help another trade. When it doesn’t… then call him names.
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Schlenck is ready to argue Sullivan… he was assured the firster he got was not a fake first! But not a good one either, tho.
Atleast Cam will get a good look here. We need him as much as he needs a new contract. Thibs loves 2way players. He’ll get better looks on Knicks. It’s up to him really.